Poppy seller: Police probing attack claim find 'insufficient evidence'

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Police have investigated claims a poppy seller was attacked in Edinburgh Waverley

Police have dropped investigations into an alleged attack on a 78-year-old poppy seller during a pro-Palestinian rally due to "insufficient evidence".

Army veteran Jim Henderson said he was punched and kicked as he tried to pack up his stall at Waverley Station in Edinburgh on Saturday.

British Transport Police said officers had reviewed CCTV footage and spoken to key witnesses.

They said the investigation would not be taken any further.

Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said the review of CCTV footage had been "extensive".

He added: "We have no reason to believe that poppy sellers are at any risk or being intentionally targeted."

Hundreds of people had occupied the station concourse to protest against the Israel-Gaza war.

At the time Mr Henderson told the Daily Mail he was punched in the back as he bent down to collect his things.

"And then I got another punch in my side" he said.

The veteran told he paper he had served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles with the Royal Corps of Signals, 32 Signal Regiment.

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Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators also occupied Glasgow Central station during a day of protests on Saturday.

Marches have been taking place across the UK to urge an end to Israeli attacks in Gaza.

The retaliatory strikes came after Hamas gunmen killed more than 1,400 people in Israel on 7 October.

Since then the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 10,000 people have been killed there.

BTP said officers had received a separate report of a racially aggravated public order offence at Edinburgh Waverley on Saturday.

A 41-year-old man from Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, has been arrested in connection with this incident - which BTP confirmed was not related to the Israel-Gaza conflict or any related protests.

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